Vacuum cleaner



SQptZZ, 1942. R; c. LAMPE v VACUUM CLEANER 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Feb. i4, 1941 van.

/ INVENTOR. /fw MNY;

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 tion of Delaware Application February 14, 1941:sri1ua 78,869

s claim.` (c1. 23o-432) My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly. to vacuum cleaners of the enclosed bag type.

Vacuum cleaners of this ytype include within which is mounted a lmotor-fan unit and which also encloses a dust bag. One end of the casing is provided with a closure member which may be removed in order to take out the dust bag for the purpose of emptying it. The other end of the casing may be provided with a closure member which may also be removable in order to give access to the motor unit. In accordance with the present invention, the closure member at this end is also utilized to support the motorfan unit and while removable,` in order to provide a proper support it is not so readily removableas is the case where it is not utilized as a motor support. However, it is desirable that certain of the electrical connections, such as a switch and connector plug, be readily accessible, and in accordance with my invention a hood member is placed over the closure member, portions of the two members being spaced apart so as to provide room 'for such electrical connections.

An exhaust air passage vis.conveniently provided through the closure and hood members and in accordance with my invention a hose connector is carried solely by the closure member so that no strain is applied to the hood member, which consequently may be of relatively light construction. y f v Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part or this specification and of which:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partially broken away, of

a vacuum cleaner embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the vacuurncleaner shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.` 2; and

Fig.A i is a rear view of the vacuum cleaner shown in the preceding gures, but with the hood member removed. y

Referring to the iigures, reference character Iii indicatesa hollowelongated casing whichy is supported by'means of runners'II secured thereto in any suitable mannen'as by `brackets l2. The left-hand end, asfviewed'in Fig. l, of .the

casing is provided with a removable closure mem-v berv i3 which is secured in. place'by means of latchf members Il'onreither side, one `of` which is;

a casing shown in Fig. 1. Closure member I3 is provided' with'an inletopeni'ng" to which may be connected a hose I5 leading from a suction nozzle Ii. Disposed within the casing I0 in well known manner is a dust -bag I'I, the open mouth of which is secured to a ring which is clamped between the closure member I3 in the end of the casing.

Extending transversely ofthe casing isa 4partition I8 which serves to vsupport one `end 'of a motor-fan unit I9. Theotherend of them'otorfan unit is supported by means of a partition 2li which also constitutes a removable closure mem-A ber for'this end 4of the casing. Partition 2D is formed of two parts 2a and :20h suitably secured together, as by welding;

As shown more particularly` inl Fig. 2, thejtrally located aperture and a lring 2li is secured to the partition in any suitable manner, as by rivets 25, so as to provide with thepartition an annular groove in which 'is seated a ring 2S. The outer surface of a rubber ring 21 lis secured to ring 2S, as by vulcanizing, while the inner surface of ring 2l is secured to a ring 28.v The latter ring is adapted to closely embrace a circular projection 29 formed on the housing of the electric motor, and a lock ring 30 preventsl axialmovement between the ring 28 and the motor housing. As shown. more particularly =invFig. 3, part 20h of partition 20 is provided with a series of apertures 3l for the passage therethrough oi air.

Part 2040i lthe partition fincludes an axially extending vcup-shaped portion which is formed with a centrally locatedfexhaust air opening in whichis suitably secured ,a ring l:i2 providedwith l. an inwiatrdlyV extending flange` `33j, The endof p the hosek I5 may be inserted in.l this exhaust Opening and the ange `33 engaged yby,.spring-pressed latch members Iba of known design forretaining the hose in. place. .f

A bracket 34 is secured A toy thefuypperpart oi part 20a of the partition-and is providedwith. parallel arms 35 between which is pivotallyV mounted a member 36 by meansofy Yay pinI 3l. Member 36is formedlwith afshoulder 38 which may be brought tobeaDagainSt a reciprocabl plungerv 39 formingpart-of an electric switch 40.*.. The switch is supported,frqm..i11artitin.2!!by` meansof nuts 4I ywhich engagetheffpartition on `either side thereof. ,li lcqillspring 42l .has 'one end bearing against one ofthe nuts'A'I while' the other` end engages a recess '4,3 lformed'lin member .yf 36 soj as to normally holdfthfe shoulder Iitvspaced' from the'plunge'riS- q p Part 20a of partition`20 is formed "withfal y IODE 1 eCeSSn .theflQW'l parte ,thereq lllthikwch isseated theV shell l5"ofF an electric com'rector I6 having the usual prongs 41.

A hood member 50 is secured to partition 20 so as to cover both parts 20a and 20h thereof and to conceal them from view. The'hood is removably secured in place by means of a screw I en-` tric connector. Hood 50 is spaced from the upper.v

part of the partition so as to provide a space into which extends the plunger 39 of the switch 40 and within which the member 36 is pivoted. This member extendsthrough a slot 5i in the hood so as to be accessible for operation. Inasmuch as member 3 6 is intended to'be operatedby the foot, it is unavoidable that the foot will at times slip 01T the member and contact the adjacent surface of the hood. If the hood is painted, this would result in marring and consequently there is provided a band 58 which is formed with a slot 59 so as to be disposed on either side of the member 36. This band is secured to the hood by having one end thereof formed as a hook 60, while the other e'nd has an offset lip 6I, botl; the hook and the lip engaging recesses formed in the hood. 1n addition, bolt 5I engages strip 58. This strip may be made of unpainted metal, and is preferably chromium plated.

Hood 50 is formed with an aperture 62 which is in alignment with the exhaust air opening in part 20a of the partition. This opening -is surrounded l being inserted in the exhaust air opening.

The lower part of hood 50 is so shaped as to provide a space 64 in alignment with the electric connector 46, so that the plug of an electric cord may be inserted therein, The periphery of thel hood is formed with a bead 65 which ts closely over the end of casing Il).

It will thus be seen that the hood 50 may be easily removed by unscrewing screws 5I and 54 so as to expose both the switch-operating memfor producing flow of air through said casing, an end member secured to said casing and formed with a port for ow of air therethrough, a hood member surrounding said end member and se-r cured thereto and having an opening in alignment with said port, and means for securing a hollow member in communicationwith said port,

n the last-mentioned means being carried by said end member entirely independently of' said hood member.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a hollow casing, means for producing ow of air through said casing', an

- end member secured to said casing and formed ber and the connector in the event that repairs to either are required. This hood member is not subjected to any strain when the hose is connected to the exhaust opening, inasmuch as `the hose engages the flange 33 which is carriedby the part 20a of the partition, and not by the hood. Furthermore, there is no air flow within the space between the end member 20 and the hood, and consequently there is no tendency for air to leak out around the switch-operating member through the opening 51, or through the joint between the hood and casing I0.

If it is necessary to gain access to the motor, partition 20 may be removed by removing screws 23, whereupon the motor-fan unit may be pulled out of thev casing with partition 20.

While I have illustrated and described one more or less specific embodiment o1' my invetion, it is to be understood that thishas been done for l the purpose of illustration only and the scope of l. In a vacuum cleaner, a hollow casing, means` with a port for flow of air therethrough, a hood member surrounding said end member and secured thereto and having an opening ing/alignmentwith said port, means for removably securing a hollowmember in communication with said port, the last-mentioned means being ycarried by said end member entirely independently of said hood member, and a protective ring carried by said hood member and disposed around said port.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a hollow casing, a motor-fanunit for producing now of air through said casing, an end member secured to said casing and including a transverse portion and an axially extending portion, means for supporting said motor-fan unit from said transverse portion, said axially extending portion forming a passageway for flow of air and being'formed at the end remote from said transverse portion with an exhaust air port, said transverse portion being formed with an opening connecting the interior of said casing vwith said passageway, a hood member surrounding said end member and secured thereto,

portions of said members being spaced from each 4. In a vacuum cleaner, a hollow casing, meansA for producing flow of air through said casing, an end member secured to said casing and formed with a port for flow of air therethrough, and a hood member surrounding said end member and secured thereto and having an opening in alignment with said port, the diameter of the port in said,end member being smaller than the diameter of the opening in said hood member whereby to provide means for engaging a hollow member and securing it in communication with said port entirely independently of said hood member.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a hollow casing, means for producing flow of air through said casing, an end member secured to said casing and formed with a port fory flow of air therethrough, and a hood member surrounding said end member and secured thereto'and having an opening in alignment with said port, the portion of said end member which bounds said port extending into said opening to thereby provide means for engaging a hollow member and securing the latter in communication with said port entirely independently of said hood member.

ROBERT C. LAMPE. 

